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Grand Canyon National Park, Redwall Limestone_0294
Image by Grand Canyon NPS
One of many caves found in the Redwall Limestone in Grand Canyon.
NPS Photo by Kristen M. Caldon
Redwall Limestone - thickness: 500-800 ft.
The Redwall Limestone forms distinct red cliffs about mid-level in the canyon. It was deposited 340 million years ago, during the Paleozoic Era - Late Early to Middle Mississippian Period.
The Redwall Limestone was deposited in a shallow to deep sea environment. A variety of fossilized sea life is preserved within the formation, including brachiopods and crinoids.
Although its name implies that the Redwall Limestone is a red rock, it is in fact a gray stone. It gains its reddish appearance from the rocks above.
Both the Supai Group and the Hermit Formation are red in color due to their high iron oxide content. Over time, rain has continually washed these eroding red sediments over the Redwall, staining it red.
The Redwall Limestone contains thousands of caves. Limestone is a water soluble rock, meaning that it can be slowly dissolved by water, eventually resulting in caves of various sizes.
Many animals, such as the California condor, now make these caves their homes, just as giant Shasta ground sloths made them their homes 11,000 to 20,000 years ago.
The Redwall Limestone also serves as a regional and local aquifer. An aquifer is a permeable body of rock capable of yielding water to wells and springs.
Baby Gator
Image by FlyinPhotography
People in Florida are in an uproar over three fatal alligator attacks in the last few weeks. I find it interesting how authorities will hunt down the offending animal after an attack as if it is a murderer. It is an animal, doing what comes natural. No disrespect to those attacked or their families, but it is us that is encroaching on their environment. Growing up on the lakes and rivers in Florida, you learn to take basic precautions. Something I see few people doing now days. In fact, this photo is an example. It was taken at Cape Canaveral. Just down shore was the mother gator. About 6 foot long and laying in the water with her nose inches from shore. A family with small children were standing feet away from her and throwing rocks to provoke her to move... I assume so they could be entertained.
